[Chylopericardium Following Surgery for Lung Cancer]

We report a case of chylopericardium with cardiac tamponade after lung cancer surgery. A 47-yearold female underwent right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy for lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastases. Three months postoperatively, chylothorax developed, and pleurodesis was performed. One month after receiving treatment for chylothorax, the patient returned to the hospital with complaints of chest tightness and dyspnea on exertion. The patient developed hypotension, and echocardiography revealed a massive pericardial effusion consistent with cardiac tamponade. A drainage tube was immediately inserted into the pericardial space, releasing a chylous effusion, which confirmed the diagnosis of chylopericardium. Because conservative treatment was unsuccessful, thoracic duct ligation was performed. This resolved the chylous pericardial effusion;however, a serous effusion subsequently accumulated in the pericardial cavity, leading to recurrent cardiac tamponade. An additional pericardial fenestration was then performed, after which the pericardial effusion resolved. Chylopericardium is a rare complication following intrathoracic surgery;however, the possibility of its occurrence should be considered.